Old Order Amish are readily distinguishable from others in society by their dissociation from "modern" convenience and dress. Students in an Old Order Amish school in Iowa receive instruction in language arts from a secular basal language arts workbook, and a basal reader containing biblical stories. Comprehension of content is evaluated from completed exercises contained in the basal reader and workbook. Pupils in grades 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8, completed the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. Eighteen of 23 students ranked below the 50th percentile in vocabulary, whereas only 12 of 23 ranked below the 50th percentile in reading. All students ranked above the 50th percentile in arithmetic computation. Since the Amish philosophy and culture emphasize hard work, self-reliance, and practical situations, the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills might not be a valid measure for these pupils. The high math results indicate its applicability in the practical day-to-day living of the Amish, while the vocabulary and reading tests evaluate concepts that may be culturally unfamiliar. (HTH)